This past December, June La Goose — yes, that’s her actual name — was stuck out in the middle of the Hudson River near Nyack, New York. She was, quite rudely, left behind by her flock because she had an injured wing. La Goose couldn’t swim to shore, or catch food or fly away.

June Gooch-Wagenberg, whom the goose is named after, noticed her right away and spent hours calling local animal welfare organizations, but the search proved futile, according to NYC-based Wild Bird Fund. None of them were able to come to the rescue. And, so, Ms. Goose kept waiting. It was that time of year when no one had their boats out on the water so Gooch-Wagenberg couldn’t even proposition anyone in the area to help.

A week passed, then two and then, unimaginably, she hit the three week mark. It looked like this was the end of the little snow goose. And then — out of no where — there came a beacon of hope literally hurtling towards her. You see, Gooch-Wagenberg had spotted a big red kayak on someone’s car and had stalked it until the owner came by. That owner turned out to be Dan Murray, the battalion chief of New York City’s fire department. The ol’ chief was more than happy to go save the goose, but he knew the journey wasn’t going to be easy.

By this time, the Hudson was packed with commercial ship traffic. Murry had to carefully maneuver around them while battling the strong current to get to the injured bird. Then he somehow managed to calm the goose down and put her into his kayak and rowed her to safety.

Currently, the Wild Bird Fund is helping June the bird recover, but they say she isn’t all that happy with her rescuers.

“She’s a little fierce. She’s definitely wild,” said the Executive Director of Wild Bird Fund speaking to Gothamist. “She does not want anything to do with us. We’re keeping her in a quiet corner so she can contemplate the pool and the wall and the sun lamp. But aside from the wing she seems to be in great shape.”

Oh, well. That’s geese for you.

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